There are lots of technology choices for IoT connectivity, maybe too many, but no single one is optimal for all use-cases. They all come with pros and cons where some of the cons can de-rail an IoT project completely.
Summary
There is an abundance of technology choices for IoT connectivity. It’s imperative to understand how to select the best possible IoT connectivity technology for your IoT projects. At the core, it’s a compromise between cost, coverage, power consumption, availability of technology (both hardware as well as support in the networks) and capacity. This article introduces a framework where questions in 5 groups need to be answered for the IoT project and then helps identifying the most suitable technology options.
Which are the IoT connectivity technology options on a high level?
Below is a subset of the technologies I run across most frequently for various IoT use cases. I’ve divided them into four groups, predominantly based on underlying delivery technology,
see figure 1, below.
Figure 1 - High level IoT Connectivity Technology Options (partial list)
Let’s look at the options in a bit more detail:
3GPP standards over LTE
- About 800 operators support LTE (Long Term Evolution or 4G) across 240 countries and territories.
- Cat-1 was part of the original LTE standard, Rel 8 back in 2008, which means it works in all existing LTE networks. Cat-1bis (introduced in R13 in 2016) is a version that only requires 1 antenna which reduces cost and footprint. Cat-4 is a higher speed module (also part of R8).
- NB-IoT (NB stands for NarrowBand) and LTE-M are LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) technologies introduced in R13 in 2016 (The GSMA uses the term MIoT [Mobile IoT] that refers to the LPWA technologies using licensed bands). Some LTE functionality have been removed and new things added to optimize for low power and improved indoor/underground coverage. NB-IoT is supported (at time of writing, January 2026) by approximately 180 operators across 70 countries and LTE-M is supported by approximately 160 operators across 60 countries. Increasingly operators support both technologies in their networks and the number of operators supporting the technologies has grown significantly over the last two years.
- LTE is expected to be around until at least 2035 in most regions, possibly with the exception of North America.
3GPP standards over 5G
- About 360 operators support 5G across 120 countries and territories of which about 100 operators have deployed SA (Standalone Access). A further 300 operators are investing in 5G and 100 in 5G SA. Less than 10 operators have launched 5G Advanced as of January 2026.
- NB-IoT and LTE-M has been carried forward unchanged into the 5G standards and leading 5G operators like T-Mobile in the US have switched services on nationwide in their 5G SA network.
- 5G NR (New Radio) is really a “standard” 5G modem.
- RedCap, introduced in R17 in 2022, stands for Reduced Capabilities and is an upcoming technology in 5G to offer some of the LPWA advantages but at higher speeds. In January of 2026, 30 operators across 21 countries support RedCap in their commercial networks. A 5G SA network and a 5G core is a prerequisite for an MNO to support RedCap. Many operators with a 5G SA networks will state that they will be supporting RedCap, but not providing any official timelines. The RedCap ecosystem is gaining momentum with 6 chipsets and about 30 IoT modules supporting RedCap. As with all nascent technologies, the cost of modules is high ($35+) but expected to drop as volumes increase. RedCap will be complemented by eRedCap during 2H2026/1H2027. eRedCap further reduces the complexity of the module, hence also reducing cost, but delivering slower bandwidth compared to standard RedCap.
3GPP standards over Satellite
- 5G – NTN stands for Non-Terrestrial-Networks, i e Satellite, and was introduced in R17 and is an emerging technology. In effect, this is typically running NB-IoT over satellite (IoT-NTN) and suitable for message-oriented traffic patterns. About 50 operators have announced plans and about 10 have launched 5G-NTN services.
- Satellites can be orbiting at different altitudes, typically GEO (Geostationary) or LEO (Low Earth Orbit) that typically spins around earth in 90 minutes. They can also use different spectrum, typically MSS (Mobile Satellite Services) spectrum, normally L-band (1.5–1.6 GHz) and/or S-band (2–2.5 GHz), or use Mobile Network Operator (MNO) dedicated spectrum, to communicate with the IoT device. Some newer satellite operators provide services based on very small constellation of satellites which means that the device will only be intermittently connected using a store and forward scheme when the satellite passes overhead of the device.
Non-3GPP standards
- LoRaWan is the most common one but there are others like Wi-SUN and 5G NR+. LoRaWan networks can be public, private or hybrid. There is currently 180+ operators of public LoRaWAN networks. Recently there are also a small number of emerging satellite operators in various early stages of providing satellite connectivity to LoRaWAN devices.
Complicating factors
- Not all operators will implement all the standards in their networks, nor all aspects of the standard. Sometimes operators may have limitations like dual vendor networks that don’t permit simultaneous rollout across an entire country or shared networks with other operators.
- eSIM and iSIM is not fully supported by all technologies until the eSIM standard SGP.32, that was published in May of 2023, is currently implemented by a few early adopter MNOs and MVNOs with a strong ramp up expected during 2026 across the eco system. In the previous standard, there was multiple ways to download an eSIM profile, the low tech way was via SMS, which is a problem with NB-IoT that don’t normally support SMS.
- 2G and 3G was the last standards where there was global harmonization of frequencies used. Starting with LTE, there are many more frequency bands that can be used. To keep module cost affordable, there is frequently regional versions of a module that is optimized to work in a certain region. Not all modules are truly global and the ones that are, come with a premium.
- Communicating with satellites require much more power compared to communicating with a radio tower and the cost for the service is also significantly higher.
The questions you need to be able to answer in order to select the best technology options
In figure 2 below, there are 12 base questions divided into 5 requirements areas that needs to be answered in order to identify the relevant technology choices.
Figure 2 – Questions to answer in order to select best technology options
Looking at the questions in more detail
Module Location –
- Geographic Footprint – Roaming is improving but from a low level when it comes to NB-IoT, somewhat better when it comes to LTE-M. LTE Cat-1 is covered by “every” LTE roaming agreement in place between MNOs. For use cases that requires complete in country coverage or close to global coverage, 5G NTN is the only option.
- Module Mobility – NB-IoT was designed for stationary devices and don’t support switching to a new cell if the device is moving. This has changed in NB2 but at low speeds. LTE-M and LTE Cat-1 have full support to move to a new cell when the device moves, even at high speeds like the rest of the technologies.
- Location - Both LTE-M and NB-IoT have better coverage compared to other technologies due to different modulation and repetition. This becomes very visible when the device is deep indoor or underground. Most operators typically put NB-IoT in the best possible spectrum so in real life situations NB-IoT typically have an advantage over LTE-M. 5G NTN that uses satellites have a requirement of free line of sight to the satellite(s).
Application Requirements
- Bandwidth Requirements - NB-IoT operates in GPRS (2G data) like speeds 26 Kbps downlink and 17 Kbps uplink theoretically (single-tone). LTE-M is significantly faster with 1 Mbps in both down and uplink theoretically. LTE Cat-1 is even faster technology with 10 Mbps downlink and 5 Mbps uplink theoretically, enough for streaming video. LTE Cat-4 and RedCap can deliver even higher bandwidths. LoRaWAN is roughly equivalent to NB-IoT. 5G NTN (a k a IoT-NTN) is really running NB-IoT over Satellite with limitations on packet size and number of packets per minute.
- Latency Requirements - NB-IoT have a typical latency of > 1.6s. LTE-M and LTE Cat-1 as well as the other LTE and 5G technologies have “traditional” LTE latency around 50 ms or lower. 5G NTN typically have a latency between 5-50 s.
- Text Requirements (SMS) - Although it’s technically possible to support SMS over NB-IoT, hardly any MNOs support it currently. Most operators support SMS over LTE-M and when it comes to LTE Cat-1 and other 3GPP technologies, it’s a mandatory part. SMS is the low-tech way to get an eSIM profile onto a device with the current eSIM standards.
- Voice Requirements - Voice in an LTE (as well as 5G) network is packetized and the standard is called VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoNR (Voice over NR). VoLTE is not supported in NB-IoT. VoLTE is part of the LTE-M specification but not all operators support it. VoLTE is a mandatory part of LTE Cat-1 and other LTE technologies.
- Always Connected – Some of the newer entrants in the satellite market that cater predominantly to IoT are going to market with very small constellations of LEO satellites. This means that the IoT device will only have connectivity when one of the satellites passes overhead. Data from the device will be stored and then forwarded as the satellite passes over a ground station (where data for the device will be retrieved and stored until overhead of the device). With 4-5 satellites in the constellation, it’s reasonable to expect the device to be connected a couple of times per day.
Timing Requirements
- Deployment Date – For large scale deployments before 2026 the only realistic alternatives were LTE based technologies, 5G NR and LoRaWAN as RedCap and 5G NTN was very nascent technologies. In the period 2026-2028 RedCap and eRedCap will be supported by an increasing number of MNOs and a number of satellite providers focused on 5G NTN (and LoRaWan services) will transition from pilots to production, although typically with small constellations of satellites. Normally it takes at least 18-24 months after a standard is ratified until there is HW and MNOs supporting the new technology.
- Deployment Duration – The only two LTE based technologies that will gracefully migrate into a 5G network when the current LTE networks will be decommissioned in 2035 and beyond are NB-IoT and LTE-M.
Power Requirements
The technology that typically consumes the least energy in PSM (Power Save Mode) is NB-IoT that can consume less than 1 microamp. LTE-M modules typically consume 1.5 – 1.8 microamps. A typical LTE Cat-1bis module in sleep mode consumes 160 microamps, that is 200 times what a NB-IOT consumes. 5G NTN is significantly more power hungry due to higher output levels needed to communicate to satellites. LoRaWAN is very comparable to NB-IoT.
TCO - Module Cost
The cost of the IoT module is a significant part of the TCO together with the cost of communication. Module cost for a certain technology tend to go down over time as volumes go up. At the time of writing this article NB-IoT modules are typically well below $10 in volume while RedCap modules can cost more than $30. There are “combo” models available from many of the IoT module manufacturers that support e g both NB-IoT (typically NB2) and LTE-M (typically M1) which offers greater flexibility and geographic coverage as it can switch depending on requirements and network availability. There also modules that can combine terrestrial technology with 5G NTN for maximum coverage but using the least costly option to communicate (this is currently usually two separate modules in the same housing).
Future evolution of some of the technologies
- The next version of NB-IOT is formally named LTE Cat NB2 and offers higher throughput of 127 Kbps down and 159 Kbps up theoretically, better positioning and the ability to move between cells at low speed (introduced in 3GPP release 14).
- The next version of LTE-M is formally named LTE Cat M2 and offers higher throughput of 4 Mbps down and 7 Mbps up theoretically (introduced in 3GPP release 14).
- The next version of LTE Cat-1 is named LTE Cat-1bis and basically offers identical performance as LTE Cat-1 but using only one antenna which lowers the price and reduces the size of the module (introduced in 3GPP release 13). LTE Cat-1bis is designed to work on any existing LTE network without changes.
- In 3GPP release 18, eRedCAP was introduced. eRedCap is expected to be available in the 2027 timeframe and is not a direct replacement of RedCap, more like a lower speed/lower cost module with similar characteristics as LTE Cat-1.
A framework to facilitate technology selection
Figure 3 shows a framework that can be used to identify the best technology candidates for your IoT projects. You have all the questions above on the left-hand side together with answers. There are “X” markings for each technology that meets that specific answer (and (x) when it depends on circumstances). Select the answer that is applicable for your project, mark the row with a highlighter pen on a printout or electronically on a softcopy. Continue until you selected one answer for each question. Then look at which columns have a dot in each one of the highlighted rows and you’ve identified the candidate technologies (see figure 4 for an example of a typical water meter use case).
Figure 3 - Framework for IoT Connectivity Technology Selection
Figure 4 - Framework filled out using a typical water meter use case
The framework is downloadable as an XLS file as well as in PDF format here.
The sweet spot for the different mature technologies can be summarized as:
- No external power source and stationary position deep indoors or underground is usually a good candidate for NB-IoT or a dual mode module that operates on NB-IoT most of the time and can switch to LTE-M for SW and FW OTA (Over The Air) upgrades. Sensors in water and sewage mounted underground would be a great example.
- No or limited external power source, moving around at modest speeds, requirements for voice and SMS, support for eSIM in a limited footprint. Typically, a good candidate for LTE-M.
- External power source, requirements for a large and unpredictable footprint, moderate to high data rates, eSIM, voice and SMS support. Typically, a good candidate for LTE-Cat1 and Cat1-bis as well as 5G NR and higher LTE-Cat standards. Track and trace of trucks, trailers and construction equipment would be a great example.
Where to seek additional guidance on technology selection
Engaging with a knowledgeable 3rd party to ensure the optimum technology is selected for the specific use-case and its footprint is a best practice. These 3rd parties can be found in these four categories of organizations:
- IoT connectivity service providers like leading MNOs and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) with a strong IoT practice can advise on technology selection and know exactly the capabilities of their local OpCos and respective roaming and satellite partners on a country-by-country basis. In addition, they usually have a sizeable ecosystem of vertically aligned partners. Some of them can also project manage complete pilots or production roll outs.
- IoT Module Manufacturers like Quectel, Semtech/Sierra Wireless and Telit/Cinterion to name a few.
- SIs (System Integrators) with sizeable IoT practices.
- IoT focused Technology Advisory organizations like Transforma Insights, Berg Insight and Lionfish Tech Advisors to name a few.
Recommendations
The main success factor is to fully understand the use-case(s) and how they’ll evolve from a functional as well as geographic perspective over time. Once you have each use case described:
- Map it to the optimum technologies using the framework and take into consideration the dual mode modules that exist on the market as well as potentially combine more than one module.
- Validate the technology selection using 3rd party organizations that can ensure that operators in the desired footprint can support the required functionality.
- Factor into the decision that a single truck roll to fix a problem in production may change the TCO calculation dramatically. In many situations, it may be prudent to go with a slightly more expensive module that have more capabilities.
- If you have the power budget for an LTE Cat-1 module, it’s usually the most versatile and “safe” bet when you need you have a multi country footprint.
- Satellite connectivity remains expensive (USD 0.50-1 per kB) and needs to be factored in when calculating TCO and the module should always transmit over the mobile network when available. Also, the power consumption when transmitting to a satellite is significantly higher than the terrestrial network, typically 10-50X depending on the type of satellite.
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Sources
This article is based on publicly available information from mobile operators, IoT module manufacturers and the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) as well as my own analysis.
Changes since initial version
Projections have been updated to reflect January 2026 and additional satellite options have been added.
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Please reference my previous article “Space: The Final Frontier” or How Satellite is Playing an Increasing Role in Both IoT and Enterprise Mobility” as an article that provides more satellite context.
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Byline
Leif-Olof Wallin is an independent Tech Advisor that specializes in Enterprise Mobility, Frontline Workers, Private Mobile Networks and IoT. Formerly, he was one of the Gartner analysts that published most of the Gartner research around IoT and what happens in the intersection of IoT, advanced analytics and Frontline Workers. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leifolofw/
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Links for files:
https://lowallin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IoT-Tech-Selection_2026_V1_0.xlsx
https://lowallin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IoT-Tech-Selection_2026_V1_0.pdf